Man Shot at St. Petersburg Intersection

The two had been arguing shortly before at a nearby convenience store, St. Petersburg police said.

ST. PETERSBURG – A man was taken to the hospital today (March 19) with gunshot wounds to the chest after a shooting at an intersection, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Bryan Stevens, 34, was taken to Bayfront Health with possible life threatening wounds. Police said he has since stabilized.

The shooting happened about 12:45 p.m. on 22nd Avenue N just west of I-275. Police said Stevens and Vincent Pontone, 59, got into an argument at the Wawa, 2465 22nd Ave. N. After the argument, Stevens threw coffee at or on Pontone. Stevens then left eastbound on his bicycle. Pontone left Wawa in his car shortly after Stevens was seen leaving.

The two met later at the eastbound traffic light at 22nd Avenue N and I-275. Officers said there are varying accounts of what occurred at that point, but Stevens eventually ended up in the median on his bicycle and the two again argued.

Officers said Pontone alleges that he was in fear after Stevens aggressively approached him at the intersection while awaiting the eastbound traffic light to change. Pontone pulled out a handgun and fired two shots, striking Stevens in the upper torso twice.